Systems and methods of analyzing a software component

ABSTRACT

A particular method includes receiving, at a device, a request to analyze a software component. The request indicates a target operating system. The method also includes generating a virtual machine at a computing device. The virtual machine implements the target operating system. The method further includes executing the software component in the target operating system on the virtual machine and generating data indicating effects of executing the software component on the virtual machine.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is generally related to systems and methods ofanalyzing a software component.

BACKGROUND

Malware includes software components that may be used to disruptcomputer operation, gather sensitive information, gain access to privatecomputer systems, or for other undesirable purposes. The malware may bedesigned to take advantage of security vulnerabilities of varioussystems (e.g., an operating system, an application, or a browserplug-in). Reverse engineering to determine effects of executing themalware may enable discovery of particular security vulnerabilitiestargeted by the malware and may enable detection of the malware.

Analyzing effects of executing the malware may be a labor-intensiveprocess that takes hours, days, or even weeks. An analysis tool toanalyze the malware may be limited to a particular operatingenvironment. The particular operating environment may not berepresentative of a target operating environment of interest to ananalyst. Moreover, collective evaluation of the malware by a team ofanalysts may be cumbersome to undertake.

SUMMARY

Systems and methods to analyze a software component are disclosed. Thedisclosed embodiments enable analyzing effects of executing the softwarecomponent in a virtual machine. The virtual machine may implement atarget operating system indicated in a request to analyze the softwarecomponent. Procedures to analyze the software may be recommended basedon comparing a digital identifier of the software component to digitalidentifiers in a database. For example, a particular analysis proceduremay be recommended to analyze the software component in response to thedigital identifier being related to another digital identifier in thedatabase. Kernel level events and application level events of thevirtual machine may be monitored during execution of the softwarecomponent. The software component may be analyzed based on the detectedkernel level events and the application level events.

In a particular embodiment, a method includes receiving, at a device, arequest to analyze a software component. The request indicates a targetoperating system. The method also includes generating a virtual machineat a computing device. The virtual machine implements the targetoperating system. The method further includes executing the softwarecomponent in the target operating system on the virtual machine andgenerating data indicating effects of executing the software componenton the virtual machine.

In another particular embodiment, a system includes a processor and amemory. The memory stores instructions that, when executed by theprocessor, cause the processor to perform operations. The operationsinclude receiving, at a device, a request to analyze a first softwarecomponent. The request indicates a target operating system. Theoperations also include generating a virtual machine at a computingdevice. The virtual machine implements the target operating system. Theoperations further include executing the first software component in thetarget operating system on the virtual machine and generating first dataindicating effects of executing the first software component on thevirtual machine.

In another particular embodiment, a computer-readable storage devicestores instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause theprocessor to perform operations. The operations include receiving, at adevice, a request to analyze a software component. The request indicatesa target operating system. The operations also include generating avirtual machine at a computing device. The virtual machine implementsthe target operating system. The operations further include executingthe software component in the target operating system on the virtualmachine and generating first data indicating effects of executing thesoftware component on the virtual machine.

Thus, particular embodiments facilitate analysis of software components.A software component may be analyzed in a virtual machine implementing arequested operating environment that represents a client operatingenvironment. Collective evaluation of the software component may befacilitated by recommending procedures to analyze the software componentbased on information regarding other evaluations.

The features, functions, and advantages that have been described can beachieved independently in various embodiments or may be combined inother embodiments, further details of which are disclosed with referenceto the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a particular embodiment of a system toanalyze a software component;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating monitoring behavior that may beimplemented by the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a particular embodiment of a basic informationuser interface that may be displayed by the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a particular embodiment of an analysis creationuser interface that may be displayed by the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a particular embodiment of a methodof analyzing a software component;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a particular embodiment of anothermethod of analyzing a software component and may correspond to operation512 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a particular embodiment of anothermethod of analyzing a software component and may correspond to operation512 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 a flow chart illustrating a particular embodiment of anothermethod of analyzing a software component and may correspond to operation512 of FIG. 5;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are a flow chart illustrating a particular embodiment ofanother method of analyzing a software component;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating a particular embodiment of anothermethod of analyzing a software component;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating a particular embodiment of anothermethod of analyzing a software component and may correspond to operation1104 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating a particular embodiment of anothermethod of analyzing a software component and may correspond to operation1104 of FIG. 11; and

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a particular illustrative embodiment of acomputing environment to analyze a software component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a block diagram of a particular embodiment of asystem to analyze a software component is disclosed and generallydesignated 100. The system 100 may include an analysis system 104coupled to or in communication with one or more client system(s) 102.The analysis system 104 may also include, be coupled to, or be incommunication with a correlation engine 106 and a database 108. Theanalysis system 104 may include a processor 170 and a memory 180. Theanalysis system 104 may also include an analysis manager 144 coupled tothe client system(s) 102 via a programming interface 162 (e.g., anapplication programming interface (API)). The analysis manager 144 maybe coupled to a virtual machine generator 140, to a virtual machine host148, and to a data analyzer 146. The data analyzer 146 may be coupled tothe database 108 and to the correlation engine 106.

The analysis system 104 may include fewer or more components thanillustrated in FIG. 1. For example, the analysis system 104 may includemore than one processor, may include more than one memory, or both. Theanalysis system 104 may include a networked or distributed computingsystem. In a particular illustrative embodiment, the analysis system 104may include a communications device, a personal digital assistant (PDA),a mobile location data unit, a mobile phone, a cellular phone, aportable computer, a tablet computing device, or a combination thereof.Such devices may include a user interface, e.g., a touch screen, voicerecognition capability, or other user interface capabilities.

The memory 180 may store instructions (e.g., analysis systeminstructions 142). One or more of the functional modules of the analysissystem 104 may correspond to the analysis system instructions 142. Theanalysis system instructions 142 may be executable by the processor 170to perform various operations. For example, the processor 170 mayperform operations including receiving a request (e.g., a request 120)from a client system (e.g., the client system(s) 102) to analyze asoftware component (e.g., malware). To illustrate, an analyst may sendthe request 120 from the client system(s) 102 to analyze the softwarecomponent 150 to the analysis system 104 via a programming interface(e.g., the programming interface 162). The programming interface 162 mayforward the request 120 to an analysis manager (e.g., the analysismanager 144). In a particular embodiment, the request 120 may include oridentify the software component 150. The analysis manager 144 maygenerate a digital identifier of the software component 150. Theanalysis manager 144 may store the software component 150 in thedatabase 108 along with the digital identifier. In a particularembodiment, the digital identifier may be a hash signature of thesoftware component 150. For example, the analysis manager 144 maygenerate the hash signature using a message-digest algorithm 5 (MD5)algorithm, a secure hash algorithm 1 (SHA-1), a secure hash algorithm256 (SHA-256), or a ssdeep algorithm.

In response to the request 120, the analysis manager 144 may set up anenvironment to isolate effects of executing the software component 150during the analysis. For example, the analysis manager 144 may request avirtual machine generator (e.g., the virtual machine generator 140) togenerate a virtual machine (e.g., a virtual machine 154) that implementsa target operating system (e.g., a target operating system (OS) 160).The virtual machine generator 140 may generate the virtual machine 154in a virtual machine host (e.g., the virtual machine host 148). Thevirtual machine 154 may implement the target operating system 160.

Images of a plurality of operating systems, including the targetoperating system 160, may be stored in a database (e.g., the database108). The virtual machine 154 may be generated using a copy of the imageof the target operating system 160. The image of the target operatingsystem 160 may be received from or identified by the client system(s)102. In a particular embodiment, the request 120 may indicate the targetoperating system 160. For example, the request 120 may include the imageof the target operating system 160 or an identifier of the targetoperating system 160. The virtual machine 154 may be generated toemulate a particular client operating environment indicated in therequest 120. For example, the analyst may be interested in analyzing thebehavior of the software component 150 in the particular clientoperating environment without putting the actual client operatingenvironment at risk from harmful effects of executing the softwarecomponent 150. In a particular embodiment, the target operating system160 may be a custom operating system derived from an image from a goldenmaster source. In a particular embodiment, the target operating systemmay include an open source operating system or a proprietary operatingsystem.

The analysis manager 144 may set up a sensor layer (e.g., a sensor layer152) between the software component 150 and the virtual machine 154 tomonitor execution of the software component 150, as further describedwith reference to FIG. 2. The sensor layer 152 may include sensorfunctions, such as a kernel level sensor (e.g., a kernel level sensor156), an application level sensor (e.g., an application level sensor158), or both. The analysis manager 144 may couple the softwarecomponent 150 to the sensor layer 152. For example, the analysis manager144 may inform the software component 150 that a particular dynamic-linklibrary (DLL) is to be used during execution. The particular DLL maycorrespond to the application level sensor 158. As another example, theanalysis manager 144 may install a kernel level software program in akernel of the target of operating system 160. The kernel level softwareprogram may correspond to the kernel level sensor 156.

The analysis manager 144 may initiate execution of the softwarecomponent 150 in the target operating system 160 on the virtual machine154. The software component 150 may be coupled to, or communicate with,the virtual machine 154 via the sensor layer 152. The sensor layer 152may monitor the virtual machine 154. For example, the kernel levelsensor 156, the application level sensor 158, or both, may detectfunction calls, memory modification, file access, network access,registry modification, file system modification, system resourceutilization, sub-process creation, or a combination thereof.

For example, when the software component 150 initiates an applicationlevel function call (e.g., an application level event) to the targetoperating system 160, the application level function call may bedirected to the application level sensor 158 (e.g., the particular DLL).To illustrate, the application level sensor 158 may detect theapplication level function call before execution of an application levelfunction associated with the application level function call. Theapplication level sensor 158 may store data (e.g., the behavior data124) regarding the detected application level function call. The dataregarding the application level function call may identify theapplication level function, one or more arguments of the applicationlevel function call, a timestamp indicating when the application levelfunction call is detected, or a combination thereof. The applicationlevel sensor 158, the virtual machine 154, or both, may also generateand store data (e.g., the behavior data 124) regarding effects ofexecuting the application level function.

A particular application level event may result in multiplecorresponding kernel level events. Each of the corresponding kernellevel events may be initiated by the software component 150 in responseto the software component 150 initiating the particular applicationlevel event. For example, execution of the application level functionmay result in one or more corresponding kernel level function calls. Thesensor layer 152 may store data (e.g., the behavior data 124)identifying the particular application level event and the multiplecorresponding kernel level events. In a particular embodiment, thesoftware component 150 may initiate a kernel level event withoutinitiating an intervening application level event.

Each kernel level event (e.g., each kernel level function call) may bedetected by the kernel level sensor 156 (e.g., the kernel level softwareprogram). For example, the kernel level sensor 156 may detect a kernellevel function call before execution of a kernel level functionassociated with the kernel level function call. The kernel level sensor156 may store data (e.g., the behavior data 124) regarding the detectedkernel level function call. The data regarding the kernel level functioncall may identify the kernel level function, one or more arguments ofthe kernel level function call, a timestamp indicating when the kernellevel function call is detected, or a combination thereof. The kernellevel sensor 156, the virtual machine 154, or both, may also store data(e.g., the behavior data 124) regarding effects of executing the kernellevel function.

An effect of executing the software component 150 (e.g., a kernel levelevent, an application level event, or both) may include modifying amemory location, accessing a file, accessing a network, modifying aregistry, modifying a file system, utilizing a system resource, creatinga sub-process, effects of executing the sub-process, or a combinationthereof. The behavior data 124 may be stored in the database 108 alongwith the digital identifier of the software component 150.

The data analyzer 146 may analyze the software component 150 in aniterative process. For example, the data analyzer 146 may receive thebehavior data 124 and send a command (e.g., a command 122) to modify anoperating condition of the target operating system 160. The command 122may include hiding a file from the software component 150, executing anapplication or application function, enabling network access by thesoftware component 150, disabling network access by the softwarecomponent 150, modifying a date of the target operating system 160,modifying a time of the target operating system 160, or a combinationthereof. To illustrate, the data analyzer 146 may send the command 122to the target operating system 160 to advance a clock of the targetoperating system 160 to analyze effects of executing the softwarecomponent 150 over a particular time period. Subsequent to sending thecommand 122, the data analyzer 146 may receive the behavior data 124indicating results of executing the software component 150 with themodified operating condition of the target operating system 160. In aparticular embodiment, the iterative analysis process may be based on ananalysis tool used to analyze the software component 150, a recommendedprocedure to analyze the software component 150, analysis data (e.g.,analysis data 130) generated by the data analyzer 146, correlationanalysis data (e.g., correlation analysis data 128) received from thecorrelation engine 106, or a combination thereof.

The analysis manager 144 may send analysis data (e.g., the analysis data130) to the client system(s) 102. The data analyzer 146 may initiatedisplay of at least a portion of the analysis data 130 at the clientsystem(s) 102 by sending the analysis data 130 to the client system(s)102. The analysis data 130 may indicate results of analyzing thesoftware component 150. For example, the analysis data 130 may includeor correspond to at least a portion of the behavior data 124, one ormore recommended procedures to analyze the software component 150, oneor more recommended procedures to detect execution of the softwarecomponent 150 at another computing device, one or more recommendedprocedures to prevent the effects of executing the software component150 when the software component 150 is executed at another computingdevice, at least a portion of the correlation analysis data 128, areport regarding the analysis of the software component 150, or acombination thereof. The data analyzer 146 may store the analysis data130 in the database 108 along with an identifier of the softwarecomponent 150.

The data analyzer 146 may send at least a portion of the behavior data124 to a correlation engine (e.g., the correlation engine 106). Thecorrelation engine 106 may correspond to instructions (e.g., theanalysis system instructions 142) executed by a processor (e.g., theprocessor 170). In a particular embodiment, the portion of the behaviordata 124 sent to the correlation engine 106 may be selected by theanalyst. For example, the analysis manager 144 may send the analysisdata 130 indicating the behavior data 124 to the client system(s) 102.The analyst may choose to focus the correlation analysis on particularaspects of the behavior data 124 and may select the portion of thebehavior data 124 to send to the correlation engine 106.

In a particular embodiment, the analyst may also, or in the alternative,select one or more criteria of comparison. For example, the analyst maywant to compare the software component 150 with other softwarecomponents based on one or more criteria of comparison. The criteria ofcomparison may include an at least partial match of a digitalidentifier, a date range of detection, an effect of execution, a kernelevent, an application event, an author, a source, a location, or acombination thereof.

The client system(s) 102 may send a second request (e.g., the request120) to the analysis manager 144. The request 120 may indicate theselected portion of the behavior data 124, may indicate the selected oneor more criteria of comparison, or a combination thereof. The dataanalyzer 146 may send (or make accessible) the portion of the behaviordata 124, the selected one or more criteria of comparison to thecorrelation engine 106, or both, to the correlation engine 106.

The correlation engine 106 may compare the portion of the behavior data124 to information in a database (e.g., the database 108). For example,the correlation engine 106 may compare the behavior data 124 to datacorresponding to another software component. In a particular embodiment,the correlation engine 106 may identify the other software componentbased on the other software component satisfying the one or morecriteria of comparison. In a particular embodiment, the correlationengine 106 may identify the other software component based on at least apartial match of an identifier of the other software component and theidentifier of the software component 150.

For example, the information in the database 108 may include digitalidentifiers of other software components that have been analyzed usingan analysis system (e.g., the analysis system 104). The digitalidentifiers may each correspond to a hash signature of a particularsoftware component. The correlation engine 106 may compare the digitalidentifier of the software component 150 to the digital identifiers ofthe other software components. The correlation engine 106 may determinethat the software component 150 is related to a second softwarecomponent in response to determining that the digital identifier of thesoftware component 150 is related to (e.g., similar to) the digitalidentifier of the second software component. To illustrate, thecorrelation engine 106 may determine that the digital identifier of thesoftware component 150 is related to the digital identifier of thesecond software component based on at least a partial match of thedigital identifier of the software component 150 and the digitalidentifier of the second software component.

In a particular embodiment, the information in the database 108 maycorrespond to behavior data, analysis data, or both, from an earlieranalysis of the other software component (e.g., the second softwarecomponent). The information in the database 108 may also includeinformation regarding a detected execution of the other softwarecomponent (e.g., date, location, etc.). For example, the other softwarecomponent may have been detected executing at another computing device(e.g., the client system(s) 102) at a particular date. The execution ofthe other software component may have been detected using proceduresrecommended by the earlier analysis of the other software component. Theother computing device (e.g., the client system(s) 102) may haveprovided information regarding the detected execution to the database108. The information regarding the detected execution of the othersoftware component may help the analyst determine how related softwarecomponents are spreading from one computing device to another, howrecently the other software component was detected, or both.

The correlation engine 106 may provide correlation analysis data (e.g.,the correlation analysis data 128) to the data analyzer 146 based on thecomparison of the portion of the behavior data 124 to information in thedatabase 108. The correlation analysis data 128 may include informationregarding the other software component. For example, the correlationanalysis data 128 may indicate a digital identifier of the othersoftware component, a timestamp associated with a prior detection of theother software component, a location associated with the prior detectionof the other software component, a source associated with the othersoftware component, an author associated with the other softwarecomponent, analysis data regarding application level events, kernellevel events, or both, associated with the other software component,analysis data regarding effects of executing the other softwarecomponent, or a combination thereof.

The correlation engine 106 may store the correlation analysis data 128in the database 108 along with the digital identifier of the softwarecomponent 150. The data analyzer 146 may include the correlationanalysis data 128 in the analysis data 130 to send to the clientsystem(s) 102.

The data analyzer 146 may identify similar effects, distinct effects, orboth, of executing the software component 150 and the other softwarecomponent. For example, the data analyzer 146 may compare the behaviordata 124 and the correlation analysis data 128 to generate dataindicating the similar effect, the distinct effects, or both. The dataanalyzer 146 may include the generated data in the analysis data 130. Ina particular embodiment, the data analyzer 146 may determine whether theother software component has a same effect upon execution as thesoftware component 150 and may generate data regarding the othersoftware component based on the determination. For example, the dataanalyzer 146 may generate data indicating that the other softwarecomponent and the software component 150 have a particular effect uponexecution in response to determining that the other software componentand the software component 150 have the particular effect. The dataanalyzer 146 may include the generated data regarding the other softwarecomponent in the analysis data 130.

The data analyzer 146 may determine a particular procedure of analyzingthe software component 150 based on the correlation analysis data 128.The particular procedure may include determining whether effects ofexecuting the software component 150 are similar to effects of executingthe other software component. The particular procedure may includehiding a file from the software component 150, enabling network accessby the software component 150, disabling network access by the softwarecomponent 150, modifying a date of the target operating system 160,modifying a time of the target operating system 160, determining whethera particular kernel level event occurs during execution of the softwarecomponent 150, whether a particular application level event occursduring execution of the software component 150, using a particularanalysis tool to analyze the software component 150, executing thesoftware component 150 in a particular operating system (e.g., thetarget operating system 160), executing the software component 150 in aparticular operating environment (e.g., with the particular operatingsystem, a particular set of applications, a particular set of values ofsystem variables, a particular memory configuration, a particularnetwork configuration, etc.), or a combination thereof.

For example, the correlation analysis data 128 may indicate thatexecuting the other software component had a particular effect inresponse to particular operating conditions. In this example, theparticular procedure may include creating the particular operatingconditions to determine whether execution of the software component 150results in the particular effects. To illustrate, the correlationanalysis data 128 may indicate that the other software componentattempted to access a particular network after a particular time period(e.g., 1 week) of execution of the other software component. Theparticular procedure may include identifying whether the effects ofexecuting the software component 150 and the other software componentare similar by comparing the behavior data 124 to the analysis dataregarding the effects of executing the other software component. Forexample, the particular procedure may include simulating the particularoperating conditions, e.g., by advancing a clock of the virtual machine154 to simulate elapse of the particular time period. As anotherexample, the particular procedure may include determining whether thebehavior data 124 indicates that the software component 150 attempted toaccess the particular network after the particular time period ofexecution.

As another example, the correlation analysis data 128 may indicate thata particular analysis tool was used to analyze the other softwarecomponent. Using the same analysis tool to analyze the softwarecomponent 150 may facilitate comparing the results of analyzing thesoftware component 150 and the other software component. In thisexample, the particular procedure may include using the particularanalysis tool to analyze the software component 150.

As an additional example, the correlation analysis data 128 may indicatethat using the particular analysis tool to analyze the other softwarecomponent is recommended (e.g., by an analyst). An analysis tool that isrecommended to analyze a related software component may be useful inanalyzing the software component 150. In this example, the particularprocedure may include using the particular analysis tool to analyze thesoftware component 150. In a particular embodiment, the data analyzer146 may perform the particular procedure in response to receiving thecorrelation analysis data 128.

In a particular embodiment, the data analyzer 146 may recommend theparticular procedure by indicating the recommended procedure in theanalysis data 130. The data analyzer 146 may initiate display of aplurality of analysis options, including the recommended procedure, atthe client system(s) 102 by sending the analysis data 130 to the clientsystem(s) 102. The analyst may select one or more of the plurality ofanalysis options (e.g., the recommended procedure) to analyze thesoftware component 150. The client system(s) 102 may send a request(e.g., the request 120) indicating the one or more selected analysisoptions (e.g., the recommended procedure). In this embodiment, the dataanalyzer 146 may perform the one or more selected analysis options(e.g., the recommended procedure) in response to the request 120. Forexample, the data analyzer 146 may send a command (e.g., the command122) to advance the clock of the target operating system 160. The dataanalyzer 146 may receive data (e.g., the behavior data 124) indicatingresults of using the recommended procedure to analyze the softwarecomponent 150. The data analyzer 146 may store the behavior data 124 inthe database 108 along with the digital identifier of the softwarecomponent 150. The data analyzer 146 may include the behavior data 124in the analysis data 130 and may send the analysis data 130 to theclient system(s) 102.

In a particular embodiment, the request 120 may indicate a particularanalysis tool (e.g., a behavioral analysis tool, a static analysis tool,or both). For example, the analyst may select the particular analysistool to analyze the software component 150. The data analyzer 146 maysend the command 122 based on a particular command indicated by theparticular analysis tool (e.g., the behavioral analysis tool). Asanother example, the data analyzer 146 may select a portion of thebehavior data 124 to include in the analysis data 130 based on theparticular analysis tool (e.g., the behavioral analysis tool). Asanother example, the data analyzer 146 may perform a static analysis ofthe software component 150 based on the particular analysis tool (e.g.,the static analysis tool). In a particular embodiment, the data analyzer146 may perform the static analysis prior to, during, or subsequent toexecution of the software component 150, or a combination thereof.

In a particular embodiment, the request 120 may indicate a particularreporting format (e.g., a standardized reporting language). For example,the analyst may select a particular reporting format for generating areport. The data analyzer 146 may generate the report in the particularreporting format (e.g., based on the behavioral data 124, a staticanalysis of the software component 150, or both). The data analyzer 146may store the report in the database 108 along with an identifier of thesoftware component 150. The analysis manager 144 may include the reportin the analysis data 130 sent to the client system(s) 102.

The data analyzer 146 may determine a procedure to detect execution ofthe software component 150 at a second computing device (e.g., theclient system(s) 102). The procedure to detect execution of the softwarecomponent 150 may be determined based on the effects of executing thesoftware component 150. For example, the behavior data 124 may indicatea particular set of effects of executing the software component 150. Toillustrate, the behavior data 124 may indicate that an effect ofexecuting the software component 150 includes making particular changesto a particular memory location. Based on the behavior data 124, theprocedure to detect execution of the software component 150 may includedetermining whether a corresponding memory location of the secondcomputing device includes the particular changes. In a particularembodiment, the data analyzer 146 may recommend the procedure to detectexecution of the software component 150 by indicating the recommendedprocedure in the analysis data 130.

The data analyzer 146 may determine a procedure to prevent one or moreeffects of executing the software component 150 when the softwarecomponent 150 is executed on a second computing device. For example, thebehavior data 124 may indicate that an effect of executing the softwarecomponent 150 includes accessing a particular network location. Based onthe behavior data 124, the procedure to prevent one or more effects ofexecuting the software component 150 may include disabling access to theparticular network location. In a particular embodiment, the dataanalyzer 146 may recommend the procedure to prevent one or more effectsof executing the software component 150 by indicating the recommendedprocedure in the analysis data 130.

When analysis of the software component 150 is complete, the analysismanager 144 may initiate removal of the virtual machine 154. Forexample, the analysis manager 144 may request the virtual machine host148 to remove the virtual machine 154 in response to a request (e.g.,the request 120) from the client system(s) 102. To illustrate, theanalyst may send the request 120 to indicate that monitoring executionof the software component 150 may be stopped, that the virtual machine154 may be removed, or both. The virtual machine host 148 may remove thevirtual machine 154. Operation of the system 100 is further describedwith reference to FIGS. 2-13.

The system 100 may enable analysis of a software component. The behaviorof the software component may be analyzed in an operating environmentthat emulates a client operating environment. Collaborative evaluationof the software component may be facilitated by comparing behavior dataof the software component to information regarding other softwarecomponents during analysis of the software component.

Referring to FIG. 2, a diagram illustrating monitoring behavior that maybe implemented by the system 100 of FIG. 1 is shown and is generallydesignated 200. FIG. 2 illustrates operating system layers 202 that maycorrespond to protection rings of an operating system (e.g., the targetoperating system 160 of FIG. 1). The protection rings may be arranged ina hierarchy from most privileged (e.g., Ring 0) to least privileged(e.g., Ring 3). Ring 0 may be the level that interacts most directlywith physical hardware (e.g., the processor 170, the memory 180, orboth, of FIG. 1). A kernel may run in Ring 0 of the target operatingsystem 160, whereas applications may run in Ring 3 of the targetoperating system 160. Device drivers (e.g., first device drivers andsecond device drivers) may run in Rings 1 and 2 of the target operatingsystem 160.

FIG. 2 illustrates that the application level sensor 158 may monitorapplication level events initiated by the software component 150 andthat the kernel level sensor 156 may monitor kernel level eventsinitiated by the software component, as further described with referenceto FIG. 1. In a particular embodiment, the application level sensor 158may run in an operating system layer corresponding to Ring 3 of thetarget operating system 160, and the kernel level sensor 156 may run inan operating system layer corresponding to Ring 0 of the targetoperating system 160. The kernel level sensor 156, the application levelsensor 158, or both, may generate the behavior data 124 regarding events(e.g., the kernel level events, the application level events, or both)initiated by the software component 150, as further described withreference to FIG. 1.

The kernel level sensor 156 running in Ring 0 may be more difficult todetect, and hence more difficult to circumvent, by the softwarecomponent 150 than the application level sensor 158 running in Ring 3 ofthe target operating system 160. The application level sensor 158 mayprovide data that is easier for the analyst to understand than the dataprovided by the kernel level sensor 156. Using both the kernel levelsensor 156 and the application level sensor 158 may result in a robustand efficient software component analysis system.

Referring to FIG. 3, a diagram of a particular embodiment of a basicinformation user interface that may be displayed by the system of FIG. 1is shown and is generally designated 300. The basic information userinterface 300 may include information regarding a software component(e.g., the software component 150 of FIG. 1). For example, the basicinformation user interface 300 may include or identify a title 312, anassigned name 314, a file name 316, an extension 318, a sampleidentifier 320, a classification 322, a packer 324, an owner 326, adate-time group (DTG) found 328, a message-digest algorithm 5 (MD5)value 330, a secure hash algorithm 1 (SHA-1) value 332, a secure hashalgorithm 256 (SHA-256) value 334, and a ssdeep algorithm value 336. Thebasic information user interface 300 may also include an update input304.

During operation, the analyst may send a request (e.g., the request 120)to the analysis manager 144 via the programming interface 162. Inresponse to the request 120, the analysis manager 144 may initiatedisplay of the basic information user interface 300. For example, therequest 120 may indicate a software component (e.g., the softwarecomponent 150). In response to the request 120, the analysis manager 144may send data regarding the software component 150 to the clientsystem(s) 102. The client system(s) 102 may display the basicinformation user interface 300 based on the data regarding the softwarecomponent 150. In a particular embodiment, the values (312-336) may beeditable. The analyst may edit one or more of the values (312-336) andselect the update input 304 to save the edited values in a database(e.g., the database 108. In a particular embodiment, the sampleidentifier 320 may uniquely identify the software component 150. Themessage-digest algorithm 5 (MD5) value 330, the secure hash algorithm 1(SHA-1) value 332, the secure hash algorithm 256 (SHA-256) value 334,and the ssdeep algorithm value 336 may each correspond to a hash orother identifier that may be compared to a corresponding value of othersoftware components to determine whether the software component 150matches or is similar to one or more of the other software components.

Thus, the basic information user interface 300 may enable an analyst toverify and update information regarding a software component.

Referring to FIG. 4, a diagram of a particular embodiment of an analysiscreation user interface that may be displayed by the system of FIG. 1 isshown and is generally designated 400. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 4, the analysis creation user interface 400 may include a titleidentifying a software component (e.g., the software component 150), mayinclude one or more analysis options to indicate tools to analyze thesoftware component, may include one or more reports options to indicatereport formats for results of the analysis, and may include a submitinput for submitting one or more selections of the options. The analysiscreation user interface 400 includes the title 312 of FIG. 3, behavioralanalysis options 402, static analysis options 404, reports options 406,and a submit input 408. The options 402-406 may include one or moreinputs. Each input may be associated with a particular analysis tool ora particular report format. An input associated with an unavailableanalysis tool or an unavailable report format may not be selectable. Aninput that is not selectable may be displayed in a different font than aselectable input. An input associated with a recommended analysis toolor a recommended report format may be highlighted. An input that ishighlighted may be displayed in a different font than other inputs, maybe displayed with a particular symbol (e.g., ‘*’), may be preselected,or a combination thereof.

For example, the behavioral analysis options 402 includes a plurality ofinputs (e.g., the first input 410 and the second input 412), each inputmay be associated with a particular behavioral analysis tool. The firstinput 410 and the second input 412 may be displayed in different fonts,colors, or other distinct display formats. To illustrate, the firstinput 410 may be displayed with a black font color indicating that thefirst input 410 is selectable, and the second input 412 may be displayedwith a grey font color indicating that the second input 412 is notselectable. As another example, the static analysis options 404 includesan input that may be associated with a particular static analysis tool.As another example, the reports options 406 includes a plurality ofinputs, each of the inputs may be associated with a particular reportformat (e.g., a standardized report format).

During operation, the analyst may send a request (e.g., the request 120)to the analysis manager 144 via the programming interface 162. Inresponse to the request 120, the analysis manager 144 may initiatedisplay of the analysis creation user interface 400. For example, therequest 120 may identify or include a software component (e.g., thesoftware component 150). In response to the request 120, the analysismanager 144 may send data associated with the analysis creation userinterface 400 to the client system(s) 102. The analysis manager 144 mayrecommend selections within the analysis creation user interface 400.The client system(s) 102 may display the analysis creation userinterface 400. The analyst may select one or more inputs of the options402-406 and may select the submit input 408. The client system(s) 102may send data indicating the selection of the one or more inputs to theanalysis manager 144. The analysis manager 144 may analyze the softwarecomponent 150 based on the one or more analysis tools, reportingformats, or both, corresponding to the one or more inputs, as furtherdescribed with reference to FIG. 1.

Thus, the analysis creation user interface 400 may enable the analyst tospecify particular analysis tools to be used to analyze the softwarecomponent. The analyst may also specify particular standardizedreporting formats for the results of the analysis. The analysis creationuser interface 400 may allow changes of the system 100 to be easilyconveyed to the analyst. For example, when a new analysis tool is addedto the system 100, the analyst may see an input related to the newanalysis tool in the analysis creation user interface 400 and may selectthe new analysis tool in the usual manner. The analysis creation userinterface 400 may also allow the analysis manager 144 to recommendanalysis procedures.

Referring to FIG. 5, a flow chart of a particular illustrativeembodiment of a method of analyzing a software component is shown and isgenerally designated 500. The method 500 may be executed by the system100 of FIG. 1.

The method 500 may include receiving, at a device, a request to analyzea software component, at 502. The request may indicate a targetoperating system. For example, the analysis manager 144 of FIG. 1 mayreceive the request 120 to analyze the software component 150. Therequest 120 may indicate the target operating system 160.

The method 500 may also include generating a virtual machine at acomputing device, at 504. The virtual machine may implement the targetoperating system. For example, the virtual machine generator 140 of FIG.1 may generate the virtual machine 154. The virtual machine generator140 may generate the virtual machine 154 in response to the analysismanager 144 receiving the request 120, as further described withreference to FIG. 1. The virtual machine 154 may implement the targetoperating system 160. For example, the virtual machine 154 may load aninstance of an image corresponding to the target operating system 160.

The method 500 may further include executing the software component inthe target operating system on the virtual machine, at 506. For example,the analysis manager 144 may initiate execution of the softwarecomponent 150 in the target operating system 160 on the virtual machine154, as further described with reference to FIG. 1.

The method 500 may also include generating data indicating effects ofexecuting the software component on the virtual machine, at 508. Forexample, the sensor layer 152, the virtual machine 154, or both, of FIG.1 may generate the behavior data 124 indicating the effects of executingthe software component 150 on the virtual machine 154, as furtherdescribed with reference to FIG. 1.

The method 500 may further include storing the data in a database alongwith an identifier of the first software component, at 510. For example,the sensor layer 152, the virtual machine 154, or both, of FIG. 1 maystore the behavior data 124 in the database 108 along with an identifierof the software component 150.

The method 500 may also include analyzing the generated data, at 512.For example, the data analyzer 146 may analyze the behavior data 124, asfurther described with reference to FIG. 1.

Alternatively or in addition, the method 500 may include removing thevirtual machine from the computing device after execution of thesoftware component, at 514. For example, the analysis manager 144 mayinitiate removal of the virtual machine 154 from the analysis system 104after execution of the software component 150, as further described withreference to FIG. 1.

Thus, the method 500 may be used to analyze a software component. Forexample, the software component may be executed in a requested operatingsystem on a virtual machine and the effects of executing the softwarecomponent may be analyzed. The method 500 may allow easy set-up of atest environment and may facilitate collaboration and sharing ofresults.

Referring to FIG. 6, a flow chart of a particular illustrativeembodiment of a method of analyzing a software component is shown and isgenerally designated 600. In a particular embodiment, the method 600 maycorrespond to operation 512 of FIG. 5.

The method 600 may include generating a report based on the data, at602. The report may be generated using a standardized reportinglanguage. The request may indicate the standardized reporting language.For example, the data analyzer 146 of FIG. 1 may generate a report basedon the behavior data 124. The report may be generated using a requestedstandardized reporting language, as further described with reference toFIGS. 1 and 4.

The method 600 may also include storing the report in the database alongwith the identifier of the first software component, at 604. Forexample, the data analyzer 146 of FIG. 1 may store the report in thedatabase 108 along with the identifier of the software component 150.

Thus, the method 600 may enable generating a report regarding theanalysis of the software component in a standardized reporting language.Sharing of data may be simplified by using the standardized reportinglanguage.

Referring to FIG. 7, a flow chart of a particular illustrativeembodiment of a method of analyzing a software component is shown and isgenerally designated 700. In a particular embodiment, the method 700 maycorrespond to operation 512 of FIG. 5.

The method 700 may include comparing the data to information in adatabase, at 702. For example, the data analyzer 146 of FIG. 1 maycompare the behavior data 124 to information (e.g., the correlationanalysis data 128) from the database 108, as further described withreference to FIG. 1.

The method 700 may also include identifying similar effects of executingthe first software component and a second software component based onthe comparison of the data to the information in the database, at 704,identifying distinct effects of executing the first software componentand the second software component based on the comparison of the data tothe information in the database, at 706, and generating second dataindicating the similar effects and the distinct effects, at 708. Theinformation in the database may be related to the second softwarecomponent. For example, the correlation engine 106 of FIG. 1 may send(or make accessible) information from a database (e.g., the database108) to the data analyzer 146. The information may be related to thesecond software component. The data analyzer 146 may identify similareffects, distinct effects, or both, of executing the software component150 and the second software component based on the comparison of thebehavior data 124 to the correlation analysis data 128. The dataanalyzer 146 may generate data indicating the similar effects and thedistinct effects.

The method 700 may further include identifying a second softwarecomponent that has a same effect upon execution as the first softwarecomponent, where the second software component is identified based onthe information in the database, at 710, and generating second dataindicating the second software component, at 712. For example, the dataanalyzer 146 may determine that the correlation analysis data 128indicates that a second software component has the same effect (or asimilar effect) upon execution as the software component 150. The dataanalyzer 146 may generate data identifying the second softwarecomponent. For example, the software component 150 may have a particulareffect upon execution, and the analyst may be interested in identifyingother software components that have the same particular effect uponexecution.

Thus, the method 700 may enable comparing a software component withanother software component. For example, the method 700 may identifysimilar and distinct effects of executing the compared softwarecomponents. As another example, the method 700 may identify othersoftware components that have a same effect upon execution as thesoftware component.

Referring to FIG. 8, a flow chart of a particular illustrativeembodiment of a method of analyzing a software component is shown and isgenerally designated 800. In a particular embodiment, the method 800 maycorrespond to operation 512 of FIG. 5.

The method 800 may include comparing the data to second data, at 802.The second data indicates publicized effects of executing the firstsoftware component. For example, the data analyzer 146 of FIG. 1 maycompare the behavior data 124 to data indicating publicized effects ofexecuting the software component 150. In a particular embodiment, thedata indicating publicized effects may be received from the clientsystem(s) 102. For example, the request 120 may include the dataindicating the publicized effects. To illustrate, the publicized effectsmay be indicated by a source that provided the software component 150 tothe client system(s) 102. In a particular embodiment, the dataindicating the publicized effects may be stored in the database 108. Forexample, the data analyzer 146 may store the data indicating thepublicized effects in the database 108 along with an identifier of thesoftware component 150. In a particular embodiment, the publicizedeffects may include results of a prior analysis by the analysis system104. For example, the publicized effects may include results of a prioranalysis of the software component 150, a prior version of the softwarecomponent 150, or a version of the software component 150 received bythe analysis system 104 from sources other than the client system(s)102.

The method 800 may also include determining whether the effects ofexecuting the first software component on the virtual machine match thepublicized effects based on the comparison, at 804. For example, thedata analyzer 146 of FIG. 1 may determine whether the effects ofexecuting the software component 150 indicated by the behavior data 124match the publicized effects. The data analyzer 146 may generate dataindicating whether the effects of executing the software component 150match the publicized effects. The data analyzer 146 may store thegenerated data in the database 108. The data analyzer 146 may includethe generated data in the analysis data 130.

Thus, the method 800 may enable determining whether effects of executinga software component match publicized effects of executing the softwarecomponent. The effects of executing the software component may bedifferent from the publicized effects because the publicized effects areassociated with another version of the software component or a differentoperating environment, or because the publicized effects are incorrect.The method 800 may enable the analyst to determine the differencesbetween the effects of executing the software component and thepublicized effects.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, a flow chart of a particular illustrativeembodiment of a method of analyzing a software component is shown and isgenerally designated 900. The method 900 may be executed by the system100 of FIG. 1.

The method 900 may include receiving a request at a first device from asecond device to analyze a first software component, at 902. The requestmay include or identify the first software component. For example, theanalysis manager 144 of FIG. 1 may receive the request 120 to analyzethe software component 150, as further described with reference to FIG.1.

The method 900 may also include generating, at the first device, a firstdigital identifier of the first software component, at 904. For example,the analysis manager 144 of FIG. 1 may generate a digital identifier ofthe software component 150, as further described with reference toFIG. 1. For example, the digital identifier of the software component150 may be a hash signature. To illustrate, the analysis manager 144 maygenerate the hash signature using a message-digest algorithm 5 (MD5)algorithm, a secure hash algorithm 1 (SHA-1), a secure hash algorithm256 (SHA-256), or a ssdeep algorithm.

The method 900 may further include performing a comparison of the firstdigital identifier to one or more second digital identifiers in adatabase, at 906. For example, the correlation engine 106 of FIG. 1 maycompare the digital identifier of the software component 150 to one ormore second digital identifiers in the database 108, as furtherdescribed with reference to FIG. 1.

The method 900 may also include determining whether the first digitalidentifier is related to a particular second digital identifier of theone or more second digital identifiers based on the comparison, at 908.The first digital identifier may be related to the particular seconddigital identifier when the first digital identifier at least partiallymatches the particular second digital identifier. For example, thecorrelation engine 106 of FIG. 1 may determine that the digitalidentifier of the software component 150 is related to a particulardigital identifier of the one or more second digital identifiers basedon determining that the digital identifier of the software component atleast partially matches the particular digital identifier.

The method 900 may further include generating first data indicatingrecommended procedures to analyze the first software component based onthe comparison, at 910. For example, the data analyzer 146 of FIG. 1 maygenerate data indicating recommended procedures to analyze the softwarecomponent 150 based on determining that the digital identifier of thesoftware component 150 is related to the particular digital identifier,as further described with reference to FIG. 1. To illustrate, softwarecomponents with related digital identifiers may be copies of each other,different versions of each other, or related in other ways. Relatedsoftware components may have similar behavior. The proceduresrecommended by the data analyzer 146 may include determining whetherexecuting the software component 150 in the target operating system 160has similar effects as executing the particular software component withthe related digital identifier.

The method 900 may also include storing the first data in the databasealong with the first digital identifier, at 912. For example, the dataanalyzer 146 of FIG. 1 may store data indicating the recommendedprocedures in the database 108. The data analyzer 146 may include thedata indicating the recommended procedures in the analysis data 130. Themethod 900 may proceed to 914.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the method 900 may continue at 914 from FIG.9. The method 900 may include analyzing the first software componentbased on the recommended procedures, at 1008. For example, the dataanalyzer 146 of FIG. 1 may analyze the software component 150 based onthe recommended procedures, as further described with reference to FIG.1.

The method 900 may include initiating display of a plurality of analysisoptions indicating the recommended procedures, at 1002, receiving a userselection indicating one or more analysis options of the plurality ofanalysis options, at 1004, and analyzing the first software componentbased on the one or more selected analysis options, at 1006. Forexample, the analysis manager 144 of FIG. 1 may initiate display of aplurality of analysis options including the recommended procedures bysending the analysis data 130 to the client system(s) 102. The analysisdata 130 may indicate the recommended procedures. In response to theanalysis data 130, the client system(s) 102 may display the plurality ofanalysis options. The analyst may select one or more of the analysisoptions. The client system(s) 102 may send data indicating the selectedone or more analysis options to the analysis manager 144. The dataanalyzer 146 may analyze the software component 150 based on theselected one or more analysis options.

The method 900 may also include generating second data indicatingresults of the analysis, at 1010. For example, the data analyzer 146 ofFIG. 1 may generate data indicating the results of analyzing thesoftware component 150, as further described with reference to FIG. 1.

The method 900 may further include storing the second data in thedatabase along with first digital identifier, at 1012. For example, thedata analyzer 146 of FIG. 1 may store the generated data in the database108. The method 1000 may also include sending, to the second device, thesecond data indicating the results of the analysis, at 1014. Forexample, the data analyzer 146 of FIG. 1 may include the generated datain the analysis data 130 and may send the analysis data 130 to theclient system(s) 102.

The method 900 may further include initiating display of the results ofthe analysis, at 1016. For example, the data analyzer 146 may initiatedisplay of the generated data by sending the analysis data 130 to theclient system(s) 102. The client system(s) 102 may display the analysisdata 130 in response to receiving the analysis data 130.

Referring to FIG. 11, a flow chart of a particular illustrativeembodiment of a method of analyzing a software component is shown and isgenerally designated 1100. The method 1100 may be executed by the system100 of FIG. 1.

The method 1100 may include executing a software component on a virtualmachine executing at a computing device, at 1102. For example, theanalysis manager 144 of FIG. 1 may initiate execution of the softwarecomponent 150 on the virtual machine 154, as further described withreference to FIG. 1.

The method 1100 may also include monitoring kernel level events of anoperating system executing on the virtual machine, at 1104. For example,the kernel level sensor 156 of FIG. 1 may monitor kernel level events ofthe target operating system 160, as further described with reference toFIGS. 1 and 2.

The method 1100 may further include monitoring application level eventsof the operating system, at 1106. For example, the application levelsensor 158 of FIG. 1 may monitor application level events of the targetoperating system 160, as further described with reference to FIGS. 1 and2. A particular application level event may result in multiplecorresponding kernel level events.

The method 1100 may also include storing first data identifying theparticular application level event and the multiple corresponding kernellevel events in a memory, at 1108. For example, the sensor layer 152 ofFIG. 1 may store data identifying the particular application level eventand the multiple corresponding kernel level events in the memory 180,the database 108, or both.

The method 1100 may further include analyzing effects of executing thesoftware component on the virtual machine based on the kernel levelevents and the application level events, at 1110. For example, the dataanalyzer 146 of FIG. 1 may analyze the effects of executing the softwarecomponent 150 on the virtual machine 154 based on the kernel levelevents and the application level events, as further described withreference to FIG. 1.

The method 1100 may also include generating second data indicatingrecommended procedures to detect, based on the effects of executing thesoftware component, execution of the software component at a secondcomputing device, at 1112. For example, the data analyzer 146 of FIG. 1may generate data indicating recommended procedures to detect executionof the software component 150 at another computing device, as furtherdescribed with reference to FIG. 1. The recommended procedures to detectexecution a software component may be used to detect malware or toprepare malware detection definitions for use in a security softwareapplication.

The method 1100 may further include generating third data indicatingrecommended procedures to prevent the effects of executing the softwarecomponent when the software component is executed at a second computingdevice, at 1114. For example, the data analyzer 146 of FIG. 1 maygenerate data indicating recommended procedures to prevent the effectsof executing the software component 150 when the software component 150is executed at another computing device, as further described withreference to FIG. 1. The recommended procedures to prevent effects ofexecuting a software component may be used to mitigate securityvulnerabilities of a system or to prepare strategies for use in asecurity software application.

Thus, method 1100 may enable monitoring events initiated by a softwarecomponent both at the application level and at the kernel level. Thekernel level monitoring may be difficult to detect, and hence difficultto circumvent, by the software component. The application levelmonitoring may generate data that is easy to understand for an analyst.Having both kernel level monitoring and application level monitoring mayresult in a robust and user-friendly analysis system.

Referring to FIG. 12, a flow chart of a particular illustrativeembodiment of a method of analyzing a software component is shown and isgenerally designated 1200. In a particular embodiment, the method 1200may correspond to operation 1104 of FIG. 11.

The method 1200 may include detecting a kernel level function callbefore execution of a kernel level function associated with the kernellevel function call, at 1202. For example, the kernel level sensor 156of FIG. 1 may detect a kernel level function call before execution of akernel level function associated with the kernel level function call, asdescribed with reference to FIG. 1.

The method 1200 may also include storing third data regarding thedetected kernel level function call, at 1204. For example, the kernellevel sensor 156 of FIG. 1 may store data regarding the detected kernellevel function call, as described with reference to FIG. 1.

The method 1200 may further include executing the kernel level function,at 1206. For example, the processor 170 of FIG. 1 may execute the kernellevel function on the virtual machine 154, as further described withreference to FIG. 1. In a particular embodiment, the kernel level sensor156 may passively observe the detected kernel level function call andstore the data regarding the detected kernel level function call. Inanother particular embodiment, the kernel level sensor 156 may interceptthe detected kernel level function call, store the data regarding thedetected kernel level function call, and initiate execution of thekernel level function associated with the detected kernel level functioncall.

The method 1200 may also include storing fourth data regarding effectsof executing the kernel level function on the virtual machine, at 1208.For example, the kernel level sensor 156, the virtual machine 154, orboth, of FIG. 1 may store data regarding effects of executing the kernellevel function on the virtual machine 154, as further described withreference to FIG. 1.

Thus, method 1200 may enable monitoring of kernel level events initiatedby the software component 150. Data regarding the kernel level eventsand the effects of executing the kernel level events on a virtualmachine may be stored for analysis. The kernel level events may includeevents initiated to implement an application level event. In this case,the kernel level sensor 156, the virtual machine 154, or both, may storedata identifying the application level event to which the kernel levelevents are related.

Referring to FIG. 13, a flow chart of a particular illustrativeembodiment of a method of analyzing a software component is shown and isgenerally designated 1300. In a particular embodiment, the method 1300may correspond to operation 1106 of FIG. 11.

The method 1300 may include detecting an application level function callbefore execution of an application level function associated with theapplication level function call, at 1302. For example, the applicationlevel sensor 158 of FIG. 1 may detect an application level function callbefore execution of a corresponding application level function, asfurther described with reference to FIG. 1.

The method 1300 may also include storing third data regarding thedetected application level function call, at 1304. For example, theapplication level sensor 158, the virtual machine 154, or both, of FIG.1 may store data regarding the detected application level function call,as further described with reference to FIG. 1.

The method 1300 may further include executing the application levelfunction, at 1306. For example, the processor 170 of FIG. 1 may executethe application level function on the virtual machine 154, as furtherdescribed with reference to FIG. 1. In a particular embodiment, theapplication level sensor 158 may passively observe the detectedapplication level function call and store the data regarding thedetected application level function call. In another particularembodiment, the application level sensor 158 may intercept the detectedapplication level function call, store the data regarding the detectedapplication level function call, and initiate execution of theapplication level function associated with the detected applicationlevel function call.

The method 1300 may also include storing fourth data regarding effectsof executing the application level function on the virtual machine, at1308. For example, the application level sensor 158, the virtual machine154, or both, of FIG. 1 may store data regarding effects of executingthe application level function on the virtual machine 154, as furtherdescribed with reference to FIG. 1.

Thus, method 1300 may enable monitoring of application level eventsinitiated by the software component 150. Data regarding the applicationlevel events and the effects of executing the application level eventson a virtual machine may be stored for analysis.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a computing environment 1400 including ageneral purpose computing device 1410 to support embodiments ofcomputer-implemented methods and computer-executable programinstructions (or code) according to the present disclosure. For example,the computing device 1410, or portions thereof; may execute instructionsto analyze a software component. In a particular embodiment, thecomputing device 1410 may include, be included with, or correspond tothe system 100 of FIG. 1.

The computing device 1410 may include the processor 170 of FIG. 1. Theprocessor 170 may communicate with the memory 180, the virtual machinegenerator 140, the virtual machine host 148, the programming interface162, the analysis manager 144, the data analyzer 146, the correlationengine 106 of FIG. 1, one or more storage devices 1440, one or moreinput/output interfaces 1450, one or more communications interfaces1460, or a combination thereof. In a particular embodiment, the virtualmachine generator 140, the virtual machine host 148, the programminginterface 162, the analysis manager 144, the data analyzer 146, and thecorrelation engine 106 are instructions (e.g., the analysis systeminstructions 142) stored in the memory 180 and executable by theprocessor 170 to perform functions described with respect to FIG. 1.

The memory 180 may include volatile memory devices (e.g., random accessmemory (RAM) devices), nonvolatile memory devices (e.g., read-onlymemory (ROM) devices, programmable read-only memory, and flash memory),or both. The memory 180 may include an operating system 1432, which mayinclude a basic/input output system for booting the computing device1410 as well as a full operating system to enable the computing device1410 to interact with users, other programs, and other devices. Thememory 180 may include one or more application programs 1434, such as asoftware component analysis application, e.g., an application that isexecutable to analyze a software component. The memory 180 may includethe analysis system instructions 142 of FIG. 1, which may be executableby the processor 170, e.g., instructions that are executable to analyzea software component.

The processor 170 may also communicate with one or more storage devices1440. For example, the one or more storage devices 1440 may includenonvolatile storage devices, such as magnetic disks, optical disks, orflash memory devices. The storage devices 1440 may include bothremovable and non-removable memory devices. The storage devices 1440 maybe configured to store an operating system, images of operating systems,applications, and program data. In a particular embodiment, the storagedevices 1440 may include the database 108 of FIG. 1. In a particularembodiment, the memory 180, the storage devices 1440, or both, includetangible, non-transitory computer-readable media.

The processor 170 may also communicate with one or more input/outputinterfaces 1450 that enable the computing device 1410 to communicatewith one or more input/output devices 1470 to facilitate userinteraction. The input/output interfaces 1450 may include serialinterfaces (e.g., universal serial bus (USB) interfaces or Institute ofElectrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394 interfaces), parallelinterfaces, display adapters, audio adapters, and other interfaces. Theinput/output devices 1470 may include keyboards, pointing devices,displays, speakers, microphones, touch screens, and other devices. Theprocessor 170 may detect interaction events based on user input receivedvia the input/output interfaces 1450. Additionally, the processor 170may send a display to a display device via the input/output interfaces1450.

The processor 170 may communicate with other computer systems 1480 viathe one or more communications interfaces 1460. The one or morecommunications interfaces 1460 may include wired Ethernet interfaces,IEEE 802 wireless interfaces, other wireless communication interfaces,or other network interfaces. The other computer systems 1480 may includehost computers, servers, workstations, and other computing devices. Forexample, the other computer systems 1480 may include the clientsystem(s) 102, the database 108, the correlation engine 106 of FIG. 1,or a combination thereof.

Thus, in particular embodiments, a computer system may be able toanalyze a software component. For example, the analysis systeminstructions 142 may be executable by the processor 170 to analyze asoftware component within a virtual machine running a target operatingsystem.

Embodiments described above are illustrative and do not limit thedisclosure. It is to be understood that numerous modifications andvariations are possible in accordance with the principles of the presentdisclosure.

The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of the variousembodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a completedescription of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systemsthat utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many otherembodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewingthe disclosure. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from thedisclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changesmay be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Forexample, method steps may be performed in a different order than isshown in the figures or one or more method steps may be omitted.Accordingly, the disclosure and the figures are to be regarded asillustrative rather than restrictive.

Moreover, although specific embodiments have been illustrated anddescribed herein, it is to be appreciated that any subsequentarrangement designed to achieve the same or similar results may besubstituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure isintended to cover any and all subsequent adaptations or variations ofvarious embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and otherembodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to thoseof skill in the art upon reviewing the description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is submitted with the understanding thatit will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of theclaims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, variousfeatures may be grouped together or described in a single embodiment forthe purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This disclosure is not to beinterpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodimentsrequire more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather,as the following claims reflect, the claimed subject matter may bedirected to fewer than all of the features of any of the disclosedembodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: receiving, at a computingdevice, a request to analyze a software component, wherein the requestindicates a target operating system, wherein the target opera system isa custom operating system derived from an image from a golden mastersource; generating a virtual machine at the computing device, whereinthe virtual machine implements the target operating system; executingthe software component in the target operating system on the virtualmachine; and generating data indicating effects of executing thesoftware component on the virtual machine, wherein the data identifiesat least one of a function call, a memory modification, a file access, anetwork access, a registry modification, a file system modification, ora system resource utilization.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein aplurality of operating systems, stored at the computing device, includethe target operating system, and wherein the virtual machine isgenerated using a copy of the target operating system.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the virtual machine is generated to emulate aparticular client operating environment indicated in the request.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the data is generated by sensor functionsthat monitor the virtual machine.
 5. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising removing the virtual machine from the computing device afterexecution of the software component.
 6. The method of claim 1, whereinthe software component includes malware.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein the request includes the software component.
 8. A systemcomprising: a processor; and a memory storing instructions that, whenexecuted by the processor, cause the processor to perform operationscomprising: receiving a request to analyze a first software component,wherein the request indicates a target operating system, wherein thetarget operating system is a custom operating system derived from animage from a golden master source; generating a virtual machine, whereinthe virtual machine implements the target operating system; executingthe first software component in the target operating system on thevirtual machine; and generating first data associated with execution ofthe first software component on the virtual machine, wherein the firstdata identifies at least one of a function call, a memory modification,a file access, a network access, a registry modification, a file systemmodification, or a system resource utilization.
 9. The system of claim8, wherein the first data is generated by sensor functions that monitorthe virtual machine.
 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the first dataindicates effects of executing kernel level events of the softwarecomponent on the virtual machine.
 11. The system of claim 8, wherein theoperations further comprise generating a report based on the first data,wherein the report is generated using a standardized reporting language,and wherein the request indicates the standardized reporting language.12. The system of claim 11, wherein the operations further comprise:storing the first data in a database along with an identifier of thefirst software component; and storing the report in the database alongwith the identifier of the first software component.
 13. The system ofclaim 8, wherein the operations further comprise comparing the firstdata to information in a database to generate a result.
 14. The systemof claim 13, wherein the information in the database is related to asecond software component and wherein the operations further compriseidentifying similar effects of executing the first software componentand executing the second software component based on the result.
 15. Thesystem of claim 14, wherein the operations further comprise identifyingdistinct effects of executing the first software component and thesecond software component based on the result.
 16. The system of claim15, wherein the operations further comprise generating second dataindicating the similar effects and the distinct effects.
 17. The systemof claim 13, wherein the operations further comprise: identifying asecond software component that has a same effect upon execution as thefirst software component, wherein the second software component isidentified based on the information in the database; and generatingsecond data indicating the second software component.
 18. Anon-transitory computer-readable storage device storing instructionsthat, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to performoperations comprising: receiving a request to analyze a softwarecomponent, wherein the request indicates a target operating system,wherein the target operating system is a custom operating system derivedfrom an image from a golden master source; generating a virtual machineat a computing device, wherein the virtual machine implements the targetoperating system; executing the software component in the targetoperating system on the virtual machine; and generating first dataassociated with execution of the software component on the virtualmachine, wherein the first data identifies at least one of a functioncall, a memory modification, a file access, a network access, a registrymodification, a file system modification, or a system resourceutilization.
 19. The non-transitory computer-readable storage device ofclaim 18, wherein the first data indicates effects of executingapplication level events of the software component on the virtualmachine.
 20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage device ofclaim 18, wherein the operations further comprise: comparing the firstdata to second data to generate a result, wherein the second dataindicates publicized effects of executing the software component; anddetermining whether the effects of executing the software component onthe virtual machine match the publicized effects based on the result.